POLICE are today hunting a sex attacker who grabbed a woman and pulled her into an Ipswich churchyard after trailing her through a number of town centre streets.

POLICE are today hunting a sex attacker who grabbed a woman and pulled her into an Ipswich churchyard after trailing her through a number of town centre streets.

The 18-year-old woman left Shout nightclub, in Northgate Street, at about 12.30am on yesterday and started to make her way home.

As she walked along Upper Brook Street, she became aware of a man following and calling out to her. The woman ignored him and started to run through town towards Star Lane, with the man continuing to follow and shout to her.

When the woman got to the area of St Clement's Church, in Star Lane, the man caught up with her, grabbed her and pulled her into the churchyard. He pushed the woman to the ground and assaulted her.

The woman hit out at the man and eventually unbalanced him, enabling her to run off and make her way home.

The man is described as black, between 20 and 35-years-old, 5ft 7in to 6ft, of thin build with a shaved head. He wore dark coloured jeans and a white zip-up jacket, with a dark coloured stripe down the arms.

A spokeswoman for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the woman being followed by the man through the town or in the area of Star Lane.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.